‖ scala mobile, n. Econ.
(ˈskala ˈmobile)
[It., lit. ‘moving stair, escalator’.]
In Italy, a system of wage indexation introduced in 1945 whereby earnings are linked by a sliding scale to rises in the retail price index.
| [1948 Economist 1 May 717/2 The sliding scale which is now in force for adjustment of wages to rising (but not to falling) prices.] 1965 G. H. Hildebrand Growth & Struct. Econ. Mod. Italy viii. 202 Criticism of the existing scala mobile involved several issues. 1976 Business Week (Industr. ed.) 21 June 42/2 He says the scala mobile, under which Italy's huge public payroll is adjusted regularly for inflation, should be modified as part of a new social contract with the unions similar to Britain's. 1989 Financial Times 30 June i. 2/7 A dangerous deterioration in Italian industrial relations was narrowly avoided yesterday when employers agreed to retain the scala mobile system of wage indexation for another year in return for a vague trade union commitment to help contain rising labour costs. |